Randolf P.

Bio
Keith Ian Micko M. Rosales

Poy Unas Farm Inc. Initial Environmental Examination

The economy of the Philippines has been developing and can be traced back
even before Duterte's administration. Different administrations have been
continuously searching so that the GNP and GDP of the Philippines will be at par
with neighboring countries. Even though profit is the primary goal, the ends of
achieving it should not be set aside. As such, when there is an economic boom, the
environment will be greatly affected. Different livestock or poultry businesses
comprise also the backbone of our economy locally. Therefore the need for
environmental laws would be crucial in regulating the different economic activities
in relation to its possible harm in the environment. In this short essay, the researchers
will try to examine a livestock or poultry project located at Maragondon, Cavite.

The Pony Unas Farm, Inc. (Unas for brevity) is owned and operated by
Rowena Unas and others located at Brgy. Langog, Mabilog, Maragondon, Cavite.
The said farm involves some 43.5 hectares of land with total project of 1.2 hectares
exclusively for hog growing. The Initial Environmental Examination Checklist
Report of the Unas is the main topic of this discussion.

Utilities such as power source must be specified. Water source is also being
considered as Unas should identify where they will get the said water for their
operation. Even if they have the sources of electricity and water, they are being ask
to efficiently use these sources. Aside from the above-mentioned info, manpower is
seen as vital. The Unas is required to disclose the construction phase and the
operation phase which specifically determines the manpower requirement, their
expertise and quantity. In addition, the Indicative Project Cost is required of which
Unas have an estimated amount of 12,000,000.00Php. This specifies the Contract
Bond, permits and clearances, building construction, fixture and others. Even though
they have the list all know with the needed requirements, the need to express their
intention to build up and operate a farm is necessary. In this case, the Unae should
disclose what are the expenses and profit sharing and essential information about
Unas.

However, in the end, the possible environmental and social impacts are to be
discussed and disclosed or made known especially in consistency with land use and
soil contamination due to improper solid waste disposal. Further, the Unas is also
required to identify preventive or mitigating measures, monitoring parameters and
implementation and the cost or mitigation and monitoring. In case that the business
will close, a provision about abandonment/decommissioning/rehabilitation policies
should be observed. In this case, the Unas answered such thing. The penultimate
portion is the Institutional Plan for EMP Implementation for the continued
development of the administrators through attending seminars and conferences and
keep them abreast with recent pollution control technology and waste management.
Lastly, the Alternatives provision is slight just in case if not be allowed which
obviously Unas answered that no other alternative sites in consideration but only at
the specified site at Maragondon, Cavite.

In conclusion, Unas Farming Inc. should have not included only the general
information of their project but also how it should be carried out and the vital
processes to mitigate detrimental impacts of their operation to the environment.
Looking at the Initial Environment Examination of Unas, it shows that Unas is
leaning towards a reactive approach to the impact of their operation wherein, they
will only take initiative when there is already an impending problem or there is an
arising complaint against their business due to the environmental issues. Being a
new business or applicant cannot be an excuse for not including the procedures of
water sources and solid waste disposal, for it is an essential part of the business, and
not including it to the IEE defeats the purpose of such examination.